Sounders lose Le Toux in MLS expansion draft

Sebastien Le Toux is off to Philadelphia after being selected in the MLS expansion draft. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Forward Sebastien Le Toux was selected Wednesday morning by the Philadelphia Union as part of the expansion draft.

Le Toux, a former USL Sounder, was the first player signed by Sounders FC when it moved to MLS.

The 25-year-old from Rennes, France, played in 28 games in 2009 for Seattle, starting 15. He was often used as a late-game substitute. The forward played 1,457 minutes, scored one MLS goal and recorded three assists. He took 27 shots and put 12 on frame.

“Sebastien Le Toux was a very good player in the USL when he signed with Sounders,” Philadelphia manager Peter Nowak said. “I watched him very close in many, many games this season and I was very impressed.”

“(Sebastien) can play different positions but we believe the starting forward position would be good for Sebastien.”

“With expansion comes the unfortunate consequence that you’re likely going to lose someone,” Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid said in a statement. “Seba is a quality player, and it’s understandable that Philadelphia valued his abilities and brought him aboard.

“We’re sad to see him go,” added Schmid, “but we wish him the best with this opportunity in Philadelphia.”

Le Toux scored three goals and had seven assists during U.S. Open Cup play, leading his teammates to joke that it was his tournament. He had the game-winning assist versus D.C. United in the Cup Final at RFK Stadium.

“We’re sorry to be losing a member of our family in Seba,” Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer said. “He contributed in a number of ways, both on and off field the field, during his three years as a Sounder.

“Since we could only protect 11 players, we knew this could happen. It’s a sad day for us, but Philadelphia has got to be pleased getting a player of such quality and character. We wish Seba all the best.”

Prior to joining Sounders FC, Le Toux spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the USL First Division Seattle Sounders, scoring 24 goals in 54 league matches. He was the top scorer in U.S. Open Cup play both years. In 2007, Le Toux was named the USL-1 Most Valuable Player and helped lead Seattle to the league title.

It won’t be long before Le Toux returns to Seattle. The Sounders kickoff the 2010 MLS season when they host the Union and Le Toux on March 25.

Here are the Union’s selections in the 10 rounds of the expansion draft. Nowak said there was no order, just a discussion of scenarios.